Taliban could capitalize on political indecision over Afghanistan: Hillier

The Ottawa Citizen ^ | Friday, February 22, 2008 | Meagan Fitzpatrick

[fanfan]

Taliban could capitalize on political indecision over Afghanistan: Hillier

OTTAWA-The Taliban are keeping their eyes on Canada's political debate on Afghanistan and could try to take advantage of any uncertainty, Canada's top soldier said this morning.

That means parliamentarians should have a speedy debate and a clear resolution on the mission, said Gen. Rick Hillier, chief of the defence staff. If a pending vote on extending the mission to 2011 is passed in Parliament, moreover, all parties should underscore their support for the soldiers, he said.

During a speech to the Conference of Defence Associations in Ottawa, Hillier raised this week's suicide bombing in Afghanistan that targeted a Canadian convoy. He said it was an open question as to whether the attack was meant to influence the Canadian debate because of the perception that Canadians are vulnerable.

Gen. Rick Hillier. CNS file photo

Speaking to reporters after the speech, Hillier said he is comfortable with the pace at which the parliamentary debate is proceeding, but he is simply warning that it shouldn't take too long.

"The Taliban will always look at us and try to assess if they can influence the things back here. We take many actions to prevent that from occurring but the longer the debate goes on - if it goes on an extended period of time - the more difficult it is to do that and I just wanted to raise a cautionary flag, that's all," he said.

Hillier's speech comes a day after Prime Minister Stephen Harper spoke to the same audience, unveiling a revised motion on extending Canada's mission in Afghanistan beyond the current end date of February 2009.

The new motion incorporates much of the amendments demanded by the Liberals and calls for Canadian troops to withdraw from Kandahar by the end of 2011. It also includes a pledge to focus the mission on reconstruction, development and training of Afghan security forces.

The Liberals and Conservatives have been trying to broker a compromise on their Afghanistan positions and have been edging closer to a consensus on extending the mission. The motion is a confidence matter that could trigger an election if the Conservatives can't secure the support of the Liberals. The New Democratic Party and Bloc Quebecois will not support any motion to extend the mission.

Debate on the motion is expected to begin Monday.

"Let's keep this moving as quickly as we can. We'd like to have clarity of thought and our purpose directed to us. That reduces the window of vulnerability over the middle and longer term," said Hillier.

The general added that if the motion to keep Canada's troops in Afghanistan until 2011 passes in the House of Commons, he wants to see all parties pledge their support to the soldiers, regardless of whether they agree with the mission.

"I don't care which parties they represent, they are our parliamentarians. They are our elected leaders, they are the elected leaders of those young men and women in uniform. And it would be an incredible thing for the people on the ground, the people that will go into Afghanistan, to have a powerful show of support for whatever mission Canada asks them to do," Hillier said.

[fanfan]

[Para-Ord.45]

Wonder what socialist Stephanie Dion is gonna say now.Hillier is basically calling him out.

[fanfan]

I don’t know.

I can’t think like a Liberal.

[Clive]

-